On the floor, you would be forgiven for viewing Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD as one thing of a cynical remaster.
Originally launched throughout the latter a part of Wii’s lifecycle, and in a while 3DS, the colourful platformer was a giant departure for Retro Studios, the developer identified for its gritty Metroid Prime video games, which delivered a well-designed, fashionable tackle Uncommon’s traditional Donkey Kong Nation sequence. I reviewed it again in 2010, and I appreciated it.
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Nonetheless, lately, Returns doesn’t really feel notably memorable. That’s partly as a result of, for these sufficiently old to have performed them, the SNES sequence naturally occupies an enormous a part of public feeling across the Donkey Kong franchise. One more reason is as a result of it was adopted up by one of many all-time nice sequels in Wii U’s Tropical Freeze, a wonderful sport that surpassed its predecessor in virtually each approach.
Tropical Freeze was ported to Swap seven years in the past, and is extensively accessible for lower than $30. It’s not tough to see, then, why a $60 remaster of its predecessor might be seen as a difficult sale, particularly throughout a interval when Nintendo is clearly patching up its lineup for the upcoming launch of Swap 2.
However to name Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD cynical could be unfair to the work that’s been put into this new model. The sport seems a lot nicer, performs higher by eradicating the necessary movement controls, provides additional ranges launched within the 3DS port, and introduces a welcome simpler mode for individuals who might need been pissed off by the usually hard-as-nails design of the unique Wii sport.
That is, with little debate, the definitive model of a traditional platformer that most likely deserves extra retrospective plaudits than it will get. Nonetheless, whereas Donkey Kong Nation Returns is value taking part in in 2025, it’s removed from the standout in its style on Swap – and even its sequence – particularly at that full $60 value level.
Releasing almost 15 years after Uncommon’s remaining Donkey Kong Nation sport, and 6 years after the GameCube gem Jungle Beat, Retro’s Returns did an admirable job of reimagining the franchise as an amalgamation of DK’s earlier branches. It options the minecart rides, hop-and-bop platforming, and traditional tunes of Uncommon’s video games, but additionally the bombastic presentation, morphing environments, and kinetic drumming strikes of Nintendo Tokyo’s take.
On Swap, I loved rediscovering Returns greater than I anticipated. Eradicating Wii’s SD visuals and awkward waggle controls makes for a stable and slick expertise that feels a step nearer to the superb Tropical Freeze. Even the soundtrack – a sticking level I had with the unique – feels extra amicable in 2025. DK’s weird blowing transfer continues to be ineffective, and the Flappy Fowl phases are simply as insupportable, however in any other case, the transition to HD is a useful one.
The Swap port was developed by Polish studio Eternally Leisure. In 2025, Returns stays an impressive-looking sport with a colourful artwork type that, whereas generally a jarring departure from the somber CGI of the SNES video games, is made to really feel extra natural by the abundance of animated wildlife and the truth that the degrees stretch all the best way into the background. Phases continuously make use of this house by barrel-blasting you towards the horizon onto close by pirate ships, platforms, and hidden bonus ranges.
“Eradicating Wii’s SD visuals and awkward waggle controls makes for a stable and slick expertise that feels a step nearer to the superb Tropical Freeze.”
Fortunately, platforming can also be tight and fast-paced, with DK and Diddy in a position to hop-and-bop via phases by bouncing from enemy to enemy (which at the moment are magical voodoo drums, fairly than the crocs of the originals). There are additionally many artistic stage concepts, akin to a beachfront degree which has you diving for canopy from a barrage of sea waves, or a minecart battle towards a squadron of moles. Sadly, that is interrupted by the occasional dud boss battle, and the aforementioned Flappy Fowl-style ranges, which have DK using a rocket-powered barrel, usually into the aspect of surroundings. Steadily.
Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD is a sport birthed throughout the period of Name of Responsibility Fashionable Warfare and Uncharted when linear set-piece video games have been king, so anticipate plenty of scripted motion, perspective-shifting, and dramatic setting transformations, which masks an in any other case easier sport. Ranges all the time look pleasingly dynamic, with shifting platforms bouncing off the waves brought on by a 40ft attacking octopus. Even when they’re generally simply set dressing, they make for a enjoyable time.
Past the crisp HD visuals, the remaster incorporates the eight further ranges added within the 3DS port of the sport. One other essential change is the introduction of an non-obligatory ‘fashionable’ sport mode – once more just like a function added within the 3DS sport – which provides gamers additional well being hearts, and a bigger stock for assist objects.
This can be a welcome addition as a result of the unique is, at occasions, ruthlessly difficult, even for knowledgeable gamers. In its previous few phases, it’s uncommon if no less than one of many spread-apart, wafer-thin platforms doesn’t immediately crumble and collapse beneath your toes. Nonetheless, the brand new mode isn’t sufficient to suggest Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD for younger gamers over one thing like Mario Bros. Surprise from an accessibility perspective (or most factors of view, for that matter).
For these youthful or inexperienced gamers, there’s nonetheless the Wii model’s ‘Tremendous Information’ function, which permits gamers to summon an invincible Kong who will end a degree for you, although it’s not a lot enjoyable watching the sport on autopilot. There’s additionally a co-op possibility, which on the floor is welcome and makes progressing a bit simpler (generally – instantaneous deaths are nonetheless plentiful), however like within the unique, it appears like an afterthought that isn’t all the time suitable with the unpredictable and fast-paced design of the phases.
Total, Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD is a sport that, regardless of its flaws, has aged higher than I anticipated and made a primarily profitable transition to Swap. In HD, it appears like a refined, assured platformer. Nonetheless, it’s finally inferior to its sequel on the identical platform, which has stronger ranges, higher concepts, extra selection, and fewer sharp edges than its predecessor. Oh, and an unimaginable David Clever soundtrack.
For these for whom the unique is contemporary within the reminiscence, there aren’t sufficient vital additions right here to justify a replay. However for individuals who’ve performed all the opposite hits the style has to supply, and are searching for yet one more problem, Donkey Kong Nation Returns HD is a worthwhile expertise and a worthy tribute to certainly one of Nintendo’s most fondly-remembered platformer sequence.
